2nd Round played – more surprises

Group A

Russia and Uruguay have qualified from the group

Things get a little bit more complicated here.

A point for Spain against Morocco would see them qualify.
If the Spanish lose they can still go through if Portugal suffer a heavier defeat against Iran, or if that match is a low-scoring draw and and Spain lose by no more than one goal.
Portugal will qualify with a draw against Iran.
If both Portugal and Spain suffer defeats then team with the bigger loss would be eliminated. If they both win then the team with the biggest win will finish top of Group B.
The top two teams currently have the same number of points, goal difference and goals scored – they are separated by Fair Play records (Spain have one yellow card and Portugal have picked up two).
If all these elements are equal then there will be a drawing of lots to decide their final group positions.
Iran will qualify with victory over Portugal – they would win the group unless Spain also won.

France are through to the knockout round – a point against Denmark would see them finish as group winners.
A point against France would see Denmark qualify, as would Australia’s failure to beat Peru. The Danes would top the group with victory.
In order for Australia to qualify they must beat Peru, hope Denmark lose and also better the Danes’ goal difference.

Croatia have qualified and will be group winners with a point against Iceland.
Nigeria will qualify with a win over Argentina. A point would be enough if Iceland do not beat Croatia.
If Argentina and Nigeria draw, Iceland will make the last 16 if they beat Croatia by a two-goal margin and also score at least one more than Nigeria.
Argentina will qualify with victory over Nigeria coupled with Iceland failing to defeat Croatia. If Iceland do beat Croatia, then Jorge Sampaoli’s side can still qualify if they beat Nigeria by two more goals than Iceland win their game. If Argentina and Iceland win and finish with identical records their fate will be decided by their disciplinary records and then the drawing of lots. Argentina have picked up three yellow cards and Iceland have none.

A draw for Brazil against Serbia will be enough for a place in the knockout stage.
If both Brazil and Switzerland win then the group winner could be decided by disciplinary records: Brazil have three yellows, Switzerland four. If they both lose then it will be the second and third places potentially decided by the same process.
The Swiss will qualify with a draw against Costa Rica, or if Serbia lose to Brazil.
If Switzerland lose by one goal and Serbia draw, second place will be decided by goals scored. If the sides finish with identical records then Switzerland would go through because they beat Serbia.

Mexico need only a point against Sweden to qualify and finish top. They will go through, irrespective of their own result, if Germany fail to beat South Korea.
Sweden are guaranteed to qualify if they better Germany’s result. They will top the group if they beat Mexico and better Germany’s result.
Germany will qualify if they win by two or more goals, or if they better Sweden’s result against Mexico.
If both Germany and Sweden draw their games, then the team in the higher-scoring game will finish second. If the matches finish with the same score, then Germany will finish second because they beat Sweden.
South Korea can qualify if they beat Germany and Sweden lose by a bigger margin than South Korea win.

Mexico need only a point against Sweden to qualify and finish top. They will go through, irrespective of their own result, if Germany fail to beat South Korea.
Sweden are guaranteed to qualify if they better Germany’s result. They will top the group if they beat Mexico and better Germany’s result.
Germany will qualify if they win by two or more goals, or if they better Sweden’s result against Mexico.
If both Germany and Sweden draw their games, then the team in the higher-scoring game will finish second. If the matches finish with the same score, then Germany will finish second because they beat Sweden.
South Korea can qualify if they beat Germany and Sweden lose by a bigger margin than South Korea win.

England and Belgium have qualified and are the only two teams to have identical records going into their final match.
If they draw then the top two positions will be decided by the number of cards accumulated. England have two yellows and Belgium have picked up three.
If both teams have the same number of booking points then lots will be drawn to decide the final positions.

Japan and Senegal require only a point in their respective games against Poland and Colombia to qualify.
Colombia will qualify with victory over Senegal. If Colombia, win Japan will need to lose by fewer goals than Senegal to progress.